All of the following play a role in maintaining resting membrane potential except _____
Answer: the opening of voltage-gated sodium channels
At rest, does potassium flow into or out of the cell through the open "leak" channels?
Answer: Out of the cell
What effect does the "leaking" of potassium across the membrane have on the membrane potential of Kevin's neurons?
Answer: It makes the inside of the neurons more negative
Cole states that anesthetics bind to potassium leak channels and open them. Are the leak channels functioning as a type of receptor?
Answer: Yes, they are functioning as a receptor.
Kevin's anesthesiologist could have used an anesthetic that opens chloride channels and allows chloride ions to enter the cell. What effect would this have?
Answer: It will make the inside of the neurons more negative and he will rapidly lose consciousness.
Suppose you wanted to create a new type of general anesthetic that made it more difficult for neurons to undergo action potentials. Which of the following mechanisms would produce this effect?
Answer: Alter the voltage-gated sodium channels so that threshold occurs at a more positive membrane potential.
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